Qualitative interview study reveals subtle delegitimation and semiotic violence against female mayors, highlighting uneven recognition of local political authority.
Key Points
Investigate how violence against municipal mayors is experienced and interpreted, specifically examining how gender shapes its meaning and impacts executive authority.
Conducted 16 semi-structured qualitative interviews with eight female and eight male mayors in Hesse, Germany.
Thematically analyzed accounts of workplace violence, visibility, and authority through the conceptual lens of semiotic violence.
Violence and confrontation were identified across genders as stemming from the inherent visibility, accessibility, and conflict-laden character of local executive office.
Female mayors reported a distinct and recurrent pattern of subtle delegitimation that questioned their standing and authority as officeholders.
Identified semiotic violence and pervasive double standards as key mechanisms through which political authority is unevenly recognized along gender lines.